Spark-plug.



A. SPRUNG.

SPARK PLUG.

APPLICATION r1120 JULY 3. 1914.

Ia tented Jan. 25, 1916.

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nuentoz zen of the, United States, and a resident of New York, in the county and State of N ewsive in construction TINTTED sTATEs PATENT enrich.

ABBE SPRUNG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SPARK-anus.

To all whom it may concern Be it'known that I, ABBE SPRUNG, a citi- York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spark-Plugs, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to improvements in devices for producing electric sparks in connection with internal combustion engines and like mechanisms wherein explosive gases are ignited and which are commonly known as spark plugs.

The object of the invention is to provide a spark plug unusually simple and inexpenhaving a minimum number of parts and any number of sparking points desired.

A second object is to provide the'insulating elements in multiple superimposed sections each carrying a section of the central electrode in such manner as to maintain the latter elements in positive intimate contact preventing arcing of the current at the junction of the insulating sections usually made of porcelain and to further provide means for avoiding danger of breaking the insuilating elements through the transmission of eat.

A third object is to provide plugs in which the lower operative elements .most subject to corrosion, damage and Wear, are made interchangeable and hence readily removable from the main body or plug and at less expense than to install a wholly complete new plug. g

These objects are accomplished by the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a partial side elevation and longitudinal section of a sparkplug embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the upper porcelain or insulating element enveloping part of the central electrode. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the lower insulating element enveloping the lower section of the central electrode and, Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the sleeve used both as a .supporting element for the insulator and as an adapter holding the sparking points of the opposite electrodes.

The main body of the spark plug com- S pecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1916. Application filed July 3, 1914. Serial No. 848,705.

prises a screw threaded sleeve or casing tted to engage with the combustion cham- I ber of an engine in which ignition is pro: 'duced. Adjoining the sleeve is a shouldered collar 11 having its upper portion 12 formed to receive a wrench in applying the device in operative position; A dome shaped extension 13 rises thereabove and is provided With a circular opening 14 lead ing to an interior chamber 15 having at the upper edge a shoulder 16, the lower portion 1 being provided with an internal screw thread. Fitted to this chamber is ahollow sleeve or adapter 20, the lower part21 of which is squared or otherwise fitted to re ceive a wrench, the upper end 22 being void of threads and used to support the insulator held therein. An insulator having a tapering body 25 and flanged enlargement 26 is passed through the opening 14 to which it is fitted, the enlarged base being suited to the chamber 15 and supported firom the shoulder 16 by a flexible annular ring or washer 28.

Formed in the center of the base of the upper insulating element is 2 leading to a stepped conical recess 29, the cavity 27 containing the expanded end of the upper electrode, the same having a corresponding depression 30 formed integral with the stem 31 extending upward through the center of the upper insulator to a cap 32, the downturned rounds the upper end of the insulator and is provided with a threaded extension 34 to which terminal wires (not shown) for can rying an electric current, may be attached in any ordinary manner.

The lower insulating element is formed with a. body 35 having an enlarged portion 36 freely fitting the chamber 15 and a conical extension 37 which registers with the cavity 27 in the upper insulator against which it is adapted to be pressed by the upper end 22 of the adapter.

An electrode having a metallic head 40, adapted to enter and make superficial contact. with the cavity 30, with'the main or upper electrode, extends above the flattened upper surface of the extension 37 and is provided with a downwardly extending stem 41, reachingnormally to the end of the adapter head 21 and central with the opening therethrough. When the conical metallic head 40 is in contact with the interior a conical cavity of the conical cavity 30, a slightgap remains between the upper insulating element 25. and the lower insulating element 35, the purpose being to permit the insulating elements to expand by heat transmitted to them, and preventing electrical leakage, while between the enlarged flanged surfaces 26 and-36, is inserted a yielding Washer 44 made of asbestos, fiber or other dielectric material and capable of being compressed expand, thereby of the porcelain elements and consequently their renewal for such cause.

Extending radially inward from the adapter are one or more opposite electrodes 43, the same being securely set in the adapter at the proper distance from center electrode stems 41, and, by reason of metallic contact through the material of the adapter, convey an electric current from the opposite pole to the igniting points at the ends of the electrodes.

Whenever it is desirable to remove the adapter to adjust or clean the points or dismount the device, it is evident that it can be done readily and quickly.

By reason of the peculiar arrangement of the electrodes and insulators, arcing or improper sparking cannot take place or leakage of the electric current and provision against breakage of both insulators and electrodes are fully provided.

Having thus described my invention and ascertained its application and use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: t

1. In a spark plug, the combination with a chambered body, of an insulator therein composed of upper and lower sections, the upper section extending above the confines of said body and having a conical cavity therein, the other section being suited to enter the mentioned cavity, electrode elements extending through each section interengaging in the mentioned cavity and a sleeve containing other electrode elements screwthreaded into said chambered body.

2. In a spark plug, the combination with a chambered body, of a sectional insulator therein, one section extending thereabove, enlarged bases formed with said sections, the upper section containing a conical cavity, the lower being suited thereto, electrode elements extending and interengaging in the cavity, a sleeve screw-threaded into said chambered body adapted to support and hold the electrode sections in electrical contact and maintain said insulator in position within said body and one .or more opposite pole electrodes secured in said sleeve, said opposite pole -bered opening through each section sleeve and above the lower surface thereof.

3. In a spark plug, thecombination with a body having securing means and a chamtherethrough, of upper and lower insulating elements therein, said upper element having an axial depression in its base, the element extending unconfinedly above said body, the lower element being suited to the mentioned depression, an electrode, one section terminating in the upper insulating element and formed with a depression in its lower end, the other section having a correspondingly shaped enlargement, means for maintaining said lower electrode and insulating element in position and one or more opposite pole electrodes carried by said means.

4. In a spark plug, a body having securing the combination wit means and a chambered opening therethrough, of upper and lower insulating elements therein, the upper conical depreselement having a stepped being provided sion in its base, the lower with a conical projection flattened at its top, forming a seat, electrode elements so contained in the insulating elements as to maintain a space between the adjacent surfaces, thereof, internal screw threads formed in the mentioned chamber opening in said body, a removable clamping meansfor said insulating elements, said clamping means engaging with the. screw-threads, and opposite pole electrodesrigidly set in said clamping means, in such manner as to be shielded thereby.

5. In a spark plug, the combination with a hollow, chambered metallic body, of an insulator therein comprising two members having on their adjacent faces inter-engaging surfaces, compressible dielectric washers between portions of said surfacesand above the upper member thereof, an electrode in each of saidinsulator members having metallic contact at their engaging sleeve surrounding the lower member of said insulator, said sleeve being adjustably engaged with said body and acting as a clamping means for said insulator, opposite ends, a

pole electrodes carried by said sleeve and a ABBE SPRUNG'.

Witnesses:

HANS C. Boos, WARREN E. WILLIS. 

